Flow control valve



July 7,1953 v 1-. k. SMITH I 2,644,475

' FLOW CONTROL VALVE Filed June 10. 1950 zzvmvrom r/20m 57724213, MM I *M inthis type of mixing valves. ,Accordingly the present Patented July 7, 1953 FLOW CONTROL VALVE Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware 'Application June 10, 1950, Serial "No. 167,283'

4 Claims. (01. lea-s8) 'The present invention relates to liquid flow control devices, and more particularly to such devices for automatically supplying water having thedesired temperature characteristics to washing machines and the like. V

The present invention contemplates novel control devices for controlling the flow of liquid in a mixing valve-such, for example, as would be usedin' an automatic washer wherein hot water and cold water are mixed to obtain warm water which is supplied to the automatic washing machine. 'Mixing valves employed at the present time for such use embody a thermostatic control I and a flow control device on the outlet side thereof and are capable of. delivering to the washing machine equal amounts of warm water in any given interval of time, regardless of variations in pressure of the entering water and at any desired temperature, for example at lOOdegrees F.'-with a variation either way of approximately 5 degrees'F.,-depending, of course, upon the type V and setting'of the thermostatic control. It has been found, however, that the temperature variation may exceed such limitations as above represented and that the temperature of the wash water may vary as much as 30 degrees F. or,

1 for example, between 90 and 120 degrees F. without afiecting. the Washing operations and with such recognition it has been possible by relatively simple andinexpensive mechanism to effectively control the flow of water to-deliver equal amounts thereof in equal intervals of time to the washing machine within the temperaturerange indicated, thus eliminating the necessity' for the thermostatic control presently'used invention has asan object the idea of providing aj fiow control de vicewhich is of simple, durable and relatively inexpensive construction, which is adapted for use in controlling the flowofliquid through a conduit or the like and which is "adapted todeliver equal quantities of liquid in" equal intervals of time, regardless ,of variations in pres-sure of the entering liquid.

'Stillanother object of the invention is to'provide a novel mixing valve having a plurality of inlets in which control devices are provided for each of the inlets whereby liquid from any one of the inlets is delivered to the mixing chamber for the valve in equal amounts in equal intervals of 7 time, irrespective of variations in pressure of the entering liquid. V

A further object of thepresent invention isto provide a-novel mixing valve having an: inlet for each of a plurality of liquids having different 4 temperature characteristics and wherein a control device having the same flow characteristics is provided for each inlet whereby liquid from each of the inlets is delivered to the mixing chamber in equal amounts in equal intervalsof time, irrespective of variations in pressure of the entering liquid.

As a further desideratum of the invention, a novel flow control device is contemplated which may readily and easily be replaced by another of similar construction but'having different flow characteristics, thus lending itself admirably for use in mixing valves as hereinabove identified where it is desired to vary the amount of liquid being delivered from any one of. the outlets to the mixing chamber relative to any of the others in any interval of time but where it is desired to maintain the flow of liquid through any one of the inlets to the mixing chamber in equal amounts in equalintervals of time, irrespective of variations in pressure of the entering liquid.

The invention, further comprehends the provision of a novel mixing device having inlet means for each of a plurality of liquids, a mixing chamber and control devices for the inlets, the control devices being characterized as having diiferent flow characteristics whereby the amount of liquid delivered by any one of the outlets to the mixing chamber in any interval of time varies with respect to any of the others, but wherein the flow through any one of the inlets to the mixing chamber is maintained in equal amounts in equal intervals of time, irrespective ofvariations in pressure of the entering liquid. Still another object of the present invention'is to provide a mixing valve having the attributes of the mixing device described immediately here'-' inabove and adapted to regulate and control the hot, cold, and warm water delivered to .an automatic washing machine or the like.

Other objects, features, capabilities and ad-. vantages are comprehended by the invention as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings: 1

Figure 1 is a plan view of a valve assembly made in' accordance with the present invention having parts thereof broken away and shown in cross-section to disclose thevalve construction more in detail.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of amember for the flow control devices incorporated in the valvev assembly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;;and. f a r n v Figure 3 is another view in perspective of the member shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, an embodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is shown as being incorporated in a mixing valve for use in supplying hot and cold water, or a mixture of the same, to the container or tub for a washing machine or the like, and more particularly, the said illustrative example of the invention contemplates the provision of means for automatically supplying such liquid to said tub or container.

In the form in which the invention is illustrated in the drawings, the valve comprises a:

valve body 2 having an inlet 4 adapted to. be connected to a source of cold water and an inlet 6 adapted to be connected to a sourceoi a hotwater. The inlets 4 and ii communicate with a mixing chamber 8 in which hot and cold water are mixed in suitable proportions, as desired, and discharged through a single outlet H3 connected, as by means of a flexible hose or the like, to the tub. or container of a washing machine or the like Intermediate the inlets i and 6 and the outlet IE are valve assemblies !2' and M for controlling the flow of hot and cold water into the mixing chamber 8 and thence through the outlet 1 0. It is, of course, understood that either of; the valve. assemblies l2 and. is may be individually operated or operated simultaneously to selectively supply hot or cold, or a. mixture of hot and cold, water through the outlet It. to the washing tub or thelike.

Mounted within each of the inlets 4 and 6 is a flow control device it for controlling the flow of water to the mixing chamber 8.

Inasmuch as the valve assemblies l2 and M, as well as the flow' control devices. 16, are of similar construction, reference: will be hereinafter made to the details of such structure as is shown incorporated in the cold water side of the valve.

The present application is concerned primarily with the structure and operation of the flow con- :trol devices located on the inlet side of the valve for controllingthe flow of hot and cold water through the inlets s and 8 to the mixing chamber 8-. Such a flow control device is disclosed as comprising a member 58 formed of resilient rubberlike material of the proper durometer and having a centrally disposed orifice 28 extending therethrough. The flow control member I8 is mounted in the inlet. 4 in abutting relation with a member 22 formed with a centrally disposed orificev 24 of slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the orifice 2b. This abutment member 22 is substantially of the same diameter as the diameter of the enlarged section 2!; of. the inlet i and is dis posed therein in abutting relation with the annular shoulder 2 l.

The member [8 is formed with an outer annular peripheral portion 29 of asize to comfortably fit in engaging relation with the inner wall of the enlarged section 26 of the inlet and a centrally disposed nose-like portion 31' which, as illustrated in the drawings, has the orifice '26 substantially centrally located therein. The noselike portion in the illustrative example of the invention is cylindrical shaped and extend outwardly and laterally of the annular peripheral portion 29. The member is is held in position in abutting relation with the member 22 by means of an expansible spring ring 33 engaging the outer face of the peripheral portion 29 and the inner face of the enlarged section 26 of the inlet.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the

member I8 has radially and axially extending surfaces facing the upstream side of the inlet. The radially extending surfaces are formed in part by the face of the annular peripheral portion 29 and in part by the end of the centrally disposed portion 3!. The outer peripheral surface of the portion 3! constitutes the axially disposed surfa'ce' 'for thev flow" control devices, the

same being disposed radially inwardly and in spaced relation to the inner surface of the enlarged section 26 of the inlet.

The shape of the member :8 with its radially and axially extending surfaces permits liquid V pressure on the upstream side of the orifice to be exerted on-the sidewalls of the orifice 20 so that as the pressure in the-inlet 4 increases, the orifice will be. decreased in size to restrict the'flow of liquid therethrough. The dimensions of the projecting nose-like portion, the durometer of the resilient rubberlike material from which the member 18 is made; and the shape and size of the orifice 2i! are factors which determine the flow characteristics of the members 13. The sizeof the orifice 2i! varies inversely with the pressure in the system, and such variation serves in; the capacity of controlling the flow of liquid, whereby equal amounts of liquid-are passed through the orifice 26 in equal intervals of time, Inthe particular illustrate-d. valve: assembly for use: in automatic. washers", the. members I18 are designed to deliver substantially equal amounts of water in equal intervals oitimewith pressure variations in the system of between. 20' and 100. pounds per square inch.

The invention further contemplates the. idea of having constant flow control devices. in both the hot and cold water inlets, which may be designed or set so that equal amounts of both hot and cold water are discharged into. the mixing chamber 8 in equal intervals of time, or theiflow control devices in both the-hot and cold water inlets. may be so designed or set to provide constant flow. controls with .diiierentfiow' values. This difference in flow values is of significance where it is desiredto hold the warm water temperature at the higher or lower value than the straight mechanical mixing of equal quantities will give where the flow control devices have th same fiow control characteristics.

A diaphragm valve assembly made according to the present'disclosure has the additional advantage of being stable and positive in its operation. This is due to the fact that when the flow control devices are mounted in the inlet end of the valve, the flowcontrol devices absorb the greater portion of the pressure drop so that the total, pressure drop across the diaphragm type valve. is relatively small which leads to a more stable. and positive-operation of, the diaphragm type valve. y

While. the. presentapplication is. directed particularly to; the. flow control devices as hereinabove described,v nevertheless, the same are shown in connection with a valve assembly for supplying hot, cold, or warm water to an automatic washing machine or the like, and accord ingly, the environment in which these devices operate and the manner in which the water is controlled in its flow to the washing machine will be more particularly described. It is understood, however, that the valve mechanisms: With which the present flow control devices are used are merely illustrative and that the present invention contemplates the use. of the flow control control mechanisms; v y

Such valve assembly is constituted'by a-port 28intermediatethe inlet.4 and'the mixing chamber 8, the same being-provided with anannular valve seat 30 surrounding the same and adapted to be engaged in sealing Irelationby a flexible didevices on the inlet'side of various typesof liquid aphragm 32t'whereby: the flow'ofliquidfrom the ring portion 38 is seated 'within 'the' annular groove 46 formed in the valve body 2 which is pro videdwith an inner shoulder 48 for a purpose to be-her'ei'na'fter described.

"In'the present illustrative embodiment of the invention,=the housing 40 is formed withan annularflange adapted to engage the enlarged peripheralring portion 38 of the diaphragm and through the-medium of the bolts, such as 52, the

fiange 50 compresses the enlarged peripheral'ri'ng portion 38 therebetween and the groove 46 to provide-asolid'anchor' for holding and centering the diaphragm inoperative-position, and which compression of the ring portion'causesthe same to act as a self-sealing gasket for forming a liquid-tight joint between the valve body 2 and the annular flange 5B or the housing'4fl. The; clamping and securing {means further includes the bracket members 54 and 56 which, through the medium of a gasket, suchas 58,- causes the housing structure 50 to be brought down into compressing relation with the enlarged peripheral ring'portion 38, the amount of compression being-(limited by the engagement of the annularflange 50 with the shoulder 48 .so as'not to undulylcompressthe ring portion'38fand to cause damage-thereto. The brackets 54;and 56 are provided with suitable means whereby the valve maybe mounted-in any desiredmanner to'frame structure of awashing machine orthe like. E The central portion '34 of the'diaphragm 32 comprises a centra1"web '6'0 and a laterally or outwardly extending annular -sealing lip 62, ;hav,- ing its outer marginal edge curved, asat 64, to provide streamlined characteristics toimprove the flow characteristics of liquid through the valve. The annular sealinglip 62, when the valve assembly is in its closed position, is adapted to engage the seat 30 to cut off the flow of liquid through the valve. The sealing lip 6211s further provided with an inwardly and radially extending annular ring 66 integrally formed therewith and adapted to engage within the groove 68- formed in the outer peripheral surface of a seal stop to hold the same in assembled relation with the diaphragm 32. This seal stop which is made of metal, or other relatively rigid material, is provided with a central opening H extending therethrough and terminates short of and in spaced relation to the outer end 54 of the sealing lip 62 and may be snapped into place by flexing the sealing'lip 62. This stop member '10 provides a positivestop for the closing movement of the diaphragm in its sealing position and also serves as a reinforcing member for the central portion of the diaphragm about the opening 80 and the sealing lip 62. It will be clearly apparent that movement of the sealing lip 62 is limited by'the engagement of the stop member"!!! with the seat to prevent undue compression of the sealing 1ip'62.

The diaphragm 32' has a small orifice or opening 12 in the intermediate annular web section 36'which is in communication at all times with the high pressure side of the inlet 4 and the control'chamber 14 formed between the diaphragm 32 andthe housing structure 4|]. The plunger 42, which has heretofore been described as a part of the solenoid 44, also constitutes a valvemember of a pilot valve for controlling the opening and closing of the diaphragm 32. The plunger 42 is provided'with the conically shaped end piece 76 which seats with the sealing lip 18 extending outwardly of the central web 60, and which defines an opening 80 of greater cross-sectional area than the orifice I2 concentrically disposed in alignment with the opening H of the stop 10 and extending through said central web 60. The solenoid 44 further includes a conventional field v winding 82 embracing the housing which is energized from any suitable source of electricity forretracting the armature -or plunger 42' from its engagement with the lip '18 when it is desired to actuate the'valve mechanism. The solenoid 44 may be controlled electrically by any sequence timer, if so desired. Interposed between theend of the plunger 42 and the outer end of the housing 40 is a coil spring 84 for returning the -plunger lot valve opening 8!].

to its seating relation with the sealing lip-18 upon deenergization of the winding 82, Y

In order to reduceturbulence in the How of liquid from the inlet 4 to the mixing chamber 8, an annular raised rim 86 is provided around the outer periphery of the valve seat in'spaced relation to thesealing lip 62 of the diaphragm.

' In the operation of the valve made in accordance with the present invention, the high pres sure side thereof is connectedthrough the inlet 4'to a suitablesource of supply for cold water, 1

With the-valve parts in the position asshown inFfigurel of the drawings'the water will fi-ow through the aperture 12" intoithe di aphragm orcontrol chamber 14 until the same is filled} gInasmuch as there is little or no pressure on the outlet side of the valve, the-fluid pressureinfthe chamber 14 holds the diaphragm 3zffin seating relation with the valve seat 39. When' fthe solenoid 44 is energized bypassing Chmentfthroughth solenoid field winding 82,1 the armature or'plunger 42 will be moved outwardly "against the: compressive action'o'f the spring-84 so as to unseat the same with the pi- As soon as this unseating of the pilot valve member 42 with the pilot valve opening takes place, the liquid under pressure 1 in the chamber 14 flows out through the .pilot valve opening 80 and into the low side of the valve into the mixing chamber 8.

I As the liquid pressure is relieved in the control or diaphragm chamber 14, the liquid pressure on the inlet side of the valve is effective on the underside of the flexible diaphragm to force or flex the same outwardly away from its seating position on the seat 3t to permit flow of liquid from the inlet 4 through the port 28 to the mixing chamber 8, and thence through the outlet Hl into the washing tub or the like. So long as the solenoid 44 is energized the diaphragm 32 will remain in its open position to permit flow of liquid in the manner indicated. When the solenoid 44 is deenergized, however, the plunger 42,- under the action of the spring 84, is moved.

into its seating relation with the pilot valve opening 80 whereby liquid pressure is built up in the diaphragm chamber M from the high side of the valve through the opening 12 to maintain the diaphragm in its closed and seating relation with the valve seat 30. This sealing relation of the diaphragm with respect to the valve seat is maintained inasmuch as the total area on the outer side of the diaphragm, namely, that area exposed to liquid pressure within the control chamber 14, is greaterithan the area on the inner side of the diaphragm.v

It will be clearly apparent that the operation of the valve through the solenoid, which in turn may be electrically controlled by a sequence timer, is merely illustrative of one way in which the valve may be operated. It will also be apparent that in accordance with the present disclosure, the solenoids for the hot and cold water supply can be operated either individually or simultaneously, depending upon whether it is desired to introduce hot, cold, or a mixture of hot and cold Water to the washing machine or the like.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown an illustrated embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details, and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A mixing valve comprising a valve body having a'mixing chamber, inlet means for delivering liquids having different temperature characteristics to saidmixing chamber, outlet means for said mixing chamber, and an automatic flow control device for each of said inlets, each of said devices comprising a member of resilient material seated in an inlet in engaging relation with the inner wall thereof, said devices having a substantially centrally disposed orifice therethrough whereby liquid from each of said inlets is delivered to said mixing chamber in substantially equal amounts in equal intervals of time.

, 2. A mixing valve comprising a valve bodyhaving a mixing chamber, inlet means for each of a plurality of liquids, outlet means for said mixing chamber, and an automatic flow control device for each of said inlets, each of said devices comprising a member of resilient material seated in an inlet in engaging relation with the inner wall thereof, said devices having a substantially centrally disposed orifice therethrough whereby liquid from anyone of said inlets is delivered to said mixing chamber in substantially 8 equal amounts in equal intervals of time, eachof said resilient members having difierent flow characteristics.

3. A mixing valve for supplying warm water to a washing machine or the like, comprising a valve body having a mixing chamber, hotand cold water inlets to said chamber, an outlet for said mixing chamber, and. a member of resilient material mounted in each of said hot and cold water inlets in engaging relation to. the inner wall thereof, each of said members being pro,-v vided with an orifice therethrough and having radially and axially extending surface areas exposed on the upstream side of the inlet whereby the cross-sectional area of said orifice is automatically varied with variations in the water pressure to deliver hot and cold water to said mixing chamber in substantially equal amounts in equal intervals of time.

4. A mixing valve for supplying warm water to a washing machine or the like, comprising a valve body having a mixing chamber, hot and cold water inlets to said chamber, an outlet for said mixing chamber, and a memberof resilient material mounted in each of said hot and cold water inlets in engaging relation to the inner wall thereof, each of said members being pro vided with an orifice therethrough and having radially and axially extending surface areas exposed on the upstream side of the inlet whereby the cross-sectional area of said orifice is automatically varied with variations in the water pressure, said members having different flow characteristics whereby the amount of either hot or cold water delivered to said mixing chambar is substantially equal for equal intervals of time, but varies with respect to the other.v

THOMAS B. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this; patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,200,578 Mahon May 14, 1940 2,214,287 Sloan Sept. 10, 1940 2,389,134 Brown Nov. 20, 1945 2,453,409 Chace NOV. 9, 1948 2,454,929 Kempton Nov. 30, 1948 2,500,750 Halenza Mar. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,336 Great Britain 1903 154,109 Switzerland July 1, 1932 

